A couple of weeks ago I wrote about how to distinguish census workers from con artists. Well, lo and behold, the crooks have already gotten started. A week after my article, The Miami Herald reported that thieves were passing themselves off as census workers.

Folks, pay attention: There will be no census workers out in the street until after April 1, and only if you didn't return your completed form will they knock on your door! Again, if you are not sure, please call the police. Otherwise you will become a victim. Let's not give these dirtbags the opportunity!

Now on to this week's column: Many of you in the past have asked me how I got started as a volunteer and did I have mentors. Well in celebration of March being Women's History Month, I am going to share with you a little history about me and some of the women who made an impact on my life.

My first volunteer experience was in 1968, while working for the Children's Psychiatric Clinic as a receptionist. I had the opportunity to meet a great lady, Anita Sommers, who was working at the time with Dr. Ben Sheppard when he opened the first methadone clinic in Miami. At the time they needed bilingual volunteers so I joined them. Later on, when Jackson hospital took over the methadone clinic, I went to work there full-time.

During my time at the Children's Psychiatric Center, I had the opportunity of working with some outstanding psychiatric social workers who really taught me some great lessons in life. As I look back, I see a little of me in them. My mentors then were Gayle Shy, Monique Lambert and Dr. Edith Fiore, a group of women who were outstanding in their field.

As I moved on from there to the Methadone Clinic, I worked with Yvonne Bacarisse, Rosa Jones, Marion Crawford and one of the best nurses I have ever known, Jessie Thrasher. These women were the backbone of this clinic -- every day making a difference in the lives of heroin addicts.

My volunteerism continued when the first free clinic was established by Dr. Lynn Carmichael. Later on, I became a volunteer when Switchboard of Miami was established.

As I look back at those early formative years when I started, I can't help but think, had I not met all those wonderful women with their strong character, their integrity, their passion for what they did and believed in, their dedication to their field, would I be who I am today?

Therefore, to all these special women in my life who helped me become who I am, I salute you and thank you .

In closing, once again we have had shootings and the killing of innocent people in our community. Please, if you are one of those witnesses, only you can help catch these killers. Please make that phone call to Crime Stoppers -- 305-471-TIPS.

Carmen Caldwell is executive director of the Citizens' Crime Watch of Miami-Dade. Send feedback and news for this column to her at carmen@citizenscrimewatch.com, or call her, 305-470-1670.